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Forum Discussion
conalwn
2 years agoHelpful | Level 5
Getting a 'not enough Dropbox space' error, when I have plenty of space
Everyday I get this (see screenshot) on Mac Os when connecting any device to sync photos. "Not enough dropbox space" - Mac - But I have PLENTY of space.. and I see it on both of my macs but not my iphone (which indicates to me a poorly written client on mac).
Resolution: sign out and sign in again.. but that means setting up my profile again each time, choosing locations, and closing badges, and so on and so on - and this take a lot of time.. What's the real fix or workaround here? And why haven't dropbox fixed it.
Why on earth would I buy an upgraded plan when something as simple as this fails to function correctly..
Other tests I've tried: complete uninstall / reinstall.
Hi conalwn,
I'm happy to hear that everything is back in working order! It's possible that your cache wasn't properly clearing upon signing out and back in, which is the usual operation that would clear out the cached files causing this error message. This problem seems to have resolved itself while we were investigating.
For anyone else receiving this error message, sign out, then sign back in to clear your cached files. If that doesn't work, please let me know and we can take a deeper look!
Regards,
Ben
- Georgina WadeNew member | Level 2
I am experiencing a similar problem using a PC. I started as a Basic user. Through referrals I have 8.25 GB of space available. I am getting a message at 2GB that I have reached my limit.
I am also experiencing problems with syncronising folders. This is not something that has occurred before. I think I am using Dropbox for about 10 years now. I think syncrhonising is connected to the limit on space issue.
- HannahDropbox Staff
Hey conalwn, thanks for reaching out to us.
This is quite a strange issue.
Just to confirm, you're signed into the same Dropbox account both on the website and the Dropbox application, correct?
Can you also send us a screenshot of your Dropbox folder's properties, so we can compare the size of the Dropbox folder on your disk as well?
Thanks in advance!
- conalwnHelpful | Level 5
Thanks 🙂
> This is quite a strange issue.
It's not so odd - I've found a lot of references to this issue for other users but most of them talk about deleting the cache or working around by signing out and signing back in again.
> Just to confirm, you're signed into the same Dropbox account both on the website and the Dropbox application, correct?
That's correct.
> Can you also send us a screenshot of your Dropbox folder's properties, so we can compare the size of the Dropbox folder on your disk as well?
Please find attached.
- conalwnHelpful | Level 5
And the view of capacity inside the app:
...attach my device for sync and I see this:
But if I sign and and sign in again and then work through the process, I will be able to sync again.
 
 
- Calvin2DBXDropbox Staff
Hi conalwn,
Thank you for the screenshots so far, they really help to illustrate the odd nature of this error message.
One thing we don't have a view on yet is how much space is left on the Mac hard drive side.
Sorry if you've already checked that, but just to rule it out:
Click the Apple menu --> "About This Mac" --> "Storage" --> "Manage"
Let me see what you find there for the available and used space!
- conalwnHelpful | Level 5
 
- conalwnHelpful | Level 5
And just in case you also want to know the version:
 
- conalwnHelpful | Level 5
That folder is a subfolder of my dropbox (see screenshot).
Usually, connecting my iphone and letting the images propagate works fine.
But regularly, when my dropbox has plenty of space, I see 'not enough space' message, as demonstrated.
And this can happen when I'm only try to sync, for instance, 5MB of photos. there is plenty of spare capacity in dropbox and on the iphone, and on the mac. If I connect 'another' device, say an SD card or another iphone, I will see the same message from dropbox.
If I sign out of dropbox and sign back in again the syncing will be restored -- but that requires reselecting a whole load of options and is not a viable solution.
 
- conalwnHelpful | Level 5
My expectation is that it is something to do with the dropbox cache.
Because - if I sign out of the account and sign in again the cache is deleted and the issue is resolved.. (until the next time!).
And in testing, I can also delete the contents of the cache and it appeared to resolve the issue - but I have to be careful.
I've had the account since 2009 but I don't think longevity is the issue 🙂
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